A golf club head having a sole portion which includes a first and second outside runner carried by the sole portion. The outside runners are offset from one another to define a deflection channel. A deflection element is carried within the deflection channel. The deflection element has a front and a rear and an intermediary portion which extends from the front to the rear. The intermediary portion rises from the front towards the rear to a general height. The height of the intermediary portion of the deflection element does not exceed the height of the first and second outside runners.